the economy will be the focus. but he'll touch on other issues, including gun violence. tara mergener reports for wjz, from capitol hill. >> reporter: president obama wasn't offering a preview of a state of the union address to reporters this afternoon. >> mr. president, how is the speech? >> we'll find out tonight. >> reporter: white house aides say improving the economy and creating jobs will be front and center, when the president speaks to congress and the country. >> as he outlays his plan tonight, everyone will see that if we work together, that we really will have a robust future. we can build namiddle -- that middle class. >> reporter: republicans want to hear president obama's plan for tackling the ballooning national debt, rising healthcare costs and the growth of government. >> a second term offers a second chance. and if the president wants to regain the credibility he's lost over the last four years, on each of these issues, he'll start tonight. >> reporter: it's up to florida senator marco rubio, to deliver the official republican response. he'll be making